August 31, 1982 in Grangeville, Idaho
2 and a half year old Ricky Ray Barnet was visiting his grandparents’ dairy with his father. The farm was massive, covering several hundred acres.
Workers were rushing about unloading a truck of chickens. Barnet watched from atop a hay wagon in front of one of the chicken coups.
The next thing anyone knew, Barnet was gone.
The police were called and a search commenced. Bloodhounds were brought in and they picked up on a scent, but they lost it at the edge of the farm. No other sign of Barnet was ever found.
205 volunteers combed the farm for 4 days, but Ricky was gone.
Police immediately suspected Barnet’s grandparents, Waldo and Martha McChoard. They would remain the lead suspects for 20 years.
Martha didn’t act like a grieving grandmother and authorities came after her for it. She took a polygraph, but the results were inconclusive.
There had been animosity between the McChoards and Barnet’s mother. People accused the grandparents of secretly putting him up for adoption to keep him from being returned to his mother.
In May 2001, Martha agreed to take another polygraph test. This time she passed. Waldo was set to take one, but he passed away before it could be administered. Police have cleared Martha of any involvement in the disappearance of her grandson.
Barnet’s mother has never given up hope of finding him.
A couple years later, a man from Florida contacted the Sheriff’s department claiming to be Barnet. It was clear to investigators that he was not Barnet.
In 2006, a man from South Dakota contacted the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He thought that he might be Barnet. He submitted a baby photo and it looked almost identical to photos of Barnet.
A DNA test was conducted and the man was not Barnet.
The case remains open.
A video summary of this week’s post can be found at
https://youtu.be/wXIpMHES3as
I Can't Believe It's NonFiction 
My heart goes out to Barnet’s mother. I believe said case was featured in an episode of ID’s Disappeared. Absolutely heartbreaking how many missing persons stay wide open and unsolved. Wouldn’t dare speculate what possibly transpired, too many variables left untied, and never was a fan of revolving investigations around one suspect without proper supporting evidence. Especially, since I’ve seen the parents or whoever was responsible for the child’s care get railroaded just because they couldn’t crack the mystery in 15 minutes, like we live in Scooby-doo land and not a world where pedophiles are lurking around every corner.
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Agreed!!
I really need to watch that show! I listen to a podcast that recaps it. I should just break down and watch too.
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